Sci Rep. 2020 May 18;10(1):8161. doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-64960-y.
Stephanie Venn-Watson 1 2, Richard Lumpkin 3, Edward A Dennis 4
PMID: 32424181 PMCID: PMC7235264 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-64960-y
Free PMC article
Abstract
Dietary odd-chain saturated fatty acids (OCFAs) are present in trace levels in dairy fat and some fish and plants. Higher circulating concentrations of OCFAs, pentadecanoic acid (C15:0) and heptadecanoic acid (C17:0), are associated with lower risks of cardiometabolic diseases, and higher dietary intake of OCFAs is associated with lower mortality. Population-wide circulating OCFA levels, however, have been declining over recent years. Here, we show C15:0 as an active dietary fatty acid that attenuates inflammation, anemia, dyslipidemia, and fibrosis in vivo, potentially by binding to key metabolic regulators and repairing mitochondrial function. This is the first demonstration of C15:0’s direct role in attenuating multiple comorbidities using relevant physiological mechanisms at established circulating concentrations. Pairing our findings with evidence that (1) C15:0 is not readily made endogenously, (2) lower C15:0 dietary intake and blood concentrations are associated with higher mortality and a poorer physiological state, and (3) C15:0 has demonstrated activities and efficacy that parallel associated health benefits in humans, we propose C15:0 as a potential essential fatty acid. Further studies are needed to evaluate the potential impact of decades of reduced intake of OCFA-containing foods as contributors to C15:0 deficiencies and susceptibilities to chronic disease.
Conflict of interest statement
S.V. is a co-founder of and employed by Epitracker, Inc and Seraphina Therapeutics, Inc, which financed studies in this paper and hold exclusive licensing rights from the U.S. Navy to commercialize odd-chain saturated fatty acids as human and animal health products. R. Lumpkin’s work related to this study was also financed by Epitracker. E.A. Dennis is a member of the Scientific Advisory Board of Epitracker and holds equity.